Page:Mashi and Other Stories.djvu/89

Rh short while before he himself was one of those unthinking men, but in a sudden and mysterious way he developed symptoms of thoughtfulness!

From the day following, every good arrangement was made for Bipin's meals. The Rani told the Raja: "It is undoubtedly wrong to lodge Bipin Babu with the petty officers of the Raj in the Kachari ; for all he now is, he was once a man of means." The Raja ejaculated curtly: "Ha!" and turned the subject. The Rani proposed that there might be another performance on the occasion of the first-rice ceremony of the "royal" weanling. The Raja heard and heard her not.

Once on being reprimanded by the Raja for not properly laying his cloth, the servant Puté replied: "What can I do? According to the Rani's behests I have to look after Bipin Babu and wait on him the livelong day." This angered the Raja, and he exclaimed, highly nettled: "Pshaw! Bipin Babu is a veritable Nawab, I see! Can't he cleanse his own dishes himself?" The servant, as before, took his cue, and Bipin lapsed back into his former wretchedness.

The Rani liked Bipin's songs — they were sweet